Thousands line snow-covered streets of DPRK capital on day of high emotion

BEIJING - The imminent task for the new leadership of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) is to expand the economy, experts said, as its people braved heavy snow to express their grief and bid farewell to Kim Jong-il on Wednesday.

Kim Jong-un accompanies the hearse of his father, Kim Jong-il, in Pyongyang on Wednesday.[Photos by Korean Central News Agency]

The country's young leader, Kim Jong-un, faces challenges to develop the economy but stable foreign affairs should allow him more time on domestic issues in the near future, analysts said.

Tens of thousands of people lined Pyongyang's snow-covered streets on Wednesday wailing and clutching their chests as a black hearse carried Kim's body on its final journey that ended with a 21-gun salute.

People are overwhelmed by grief in the snow-covered streets of the DPRK capital as they bid a final farewell to Kim Jong-il. [Photos by Korean Central News Agency]

Bareheaded and gloveless despite the snow, Kim Jong-un walked alongside his father's hearse along with top military and party figures, who will be part of the new leadership, according to analysts.

The DPRK observed a mourning period following the announcement of Kim's death on Dec 19.